Monster Collection of Leftover Socks

I finally tackled the laundry basket full of socks... and this is what was leftover...

I can only laugh about it... because if I start wondering where the other socks are, I would have to tear the house apart and it would probably end with me having a breakdown when I realize that the washing machine ATE them.

There is simply no other answer for having so many mismatched socks - so I'm going to just pretend like it didn't happen. And maybe I'll fold the socks a little sooner next time... Maybe.

And just think... eternal salvation is easier to find than those lost socks. = )

Watkins Giveaway

My friend Sherry is hosting a Watkins Product Giveaway right now - go to her blog Lamp Unto My Feet to enter for a chance to win!

$1/1 any Jimmy Dean product

Fan Jimmy Dean on Facebook and receive $1/1 coupon on any JD product.

Menu Plan Monday

It's another Monday... lots of rain and thunder and lightning in Virginia... very happy that we had a sunny (if windy) weekend though.

We have a revival next week so the second part of the plan is all super-simple stuff to prepare since we'll have little time to get ready and make the drive to church every night.

And you won't find anything traditional about our Easter - we decided to start our own tradition with foods we like - summer bbq style. = )

Enjoy! Go to www.orgjunkie.com for more great menu plans.

Monday - Soup & Sandwiches

Tuesday - Pizza Hoagies

Wednesday - Cinnamon Rolls

Thursday - Turkey Pitas w/ Homemade Pita Bread

Friday - Taco Night

Saturday - BBQ Chicken / Steamed Rice / Green Beans

Sunday (Easter) - Grilled Ribs / Potato Salad / Corn on the Cob / Coconut Cake

Monday - Leftovers

Tuesday - BLT Wraps / Pasta Salad

Wednesday - Omelets / Toast

Thursday - Sloppy Joes / Potato Wedges

Friday - Tuna Salad Sandwiches / Carrot Sticks

Saturday - Homemade Wings / Baked Potatoes / Salad

Sunday - Leftovers

$0.75/1 Coffee-Mate Creamer

Save $0.75/1 15oz or larger Coffee-Mate liquid or powder creamer until 4/26/10. Just sign up here for their e-mail offers.

$1/1 Kibbles 'n Bits Coupon

Until 6/30/2010 get $1/1 any size Kibbles 'n Bits dog food - you only need to register.

Apple Coffee Cake

When I started getting big into cooking, my mom started collecting and pulling out old recipes to give me... and she happened to have this recipe that her then-Mother-in-law (my Mamaw) had given her. I love trying new recipes and this one did not fail me.

If you are counting calories or have diabetes... this is NOT for you. The only thing that stops this cake from clogging arteries is the stick of butter that I have to hold myself back from adding. Hey, I'm Southern - it doesn't taste really good if it doesn't have butter. I manage though - it can stand on it's own.


Apple Coffee Cake

2 c flour
1/4 tsp salt
2 c sugar (I know, right?)
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 c oil
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
4 c chopped apple
1 c chopped nuts (I used pecans because I had them but walnuts would be better)

1. Whisk dry ingredients together.
2. Mix in oil, eggs, and vanilla.
3. Stir in apples and nuts (it will be very thick). 
4. In bundt pan, cook at 350 for 45 minutes.
5. Don't complain if you just have to eat it all the time and get fat... I gave you plenty of warning.

The best part of cooking - give your kids the spoon and bowl. The second best part - brew up some coffee and enjoy a slice.

Menu Plan Monday (erm... Thursday)

So I may be a little late posting this... it's not *exactly* Monday... Oops. I'm going to blame the pregnancy (that excuse is only good for so long, you know). 

Anyway - here it is - enjoy.

Monday - homemade pizza with crust from Money Saving Mom (crust is SUPER quick and thick but not dense) - I always brush on olive oil and add Italian seasonings, garlic salt and pepper before putting on the sauce, mixing some cheeses together and topping with sliced tomatoes, onions & bell peppers.

Tuesday - strip steak / mashed potatoes (see below for recipe) / vegetables

Wednesday - breakfast burritos (potato, egg & cheese)

Thursday - bbq chicken / steamed rice / vegetables

Friday - quesadillas / spanish rice (Goya has a $1/2 coupon right now - www.coupons.com)

Saturday - crockpot chili / cornbread

Sunday - leftovers

Monday - hamburgers / tots

Tuesday - lemon pepper chicken / fettucini alfredo / broccoli

Wednesday - eggs / toast

Thursday - steak / twice baked potatoes / vegetables

Friday - egg salad sandwiches / chips

Saturday - Pampered Chef broccoli ham ring / salad

Sunday - leftovers (strawberry shortcakes with mascarpone cheese for Sunday School)

NOT My Nana's Mashed Potatoes (sorry Nana)

8 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 c milk
1 stick butter
2 tsp garlic
1/2 c shredded cheddar cheese
1 T parsley
s&p, tt
water to cover

1. Cover cubed potatoes with water in pot and bring to boil. Reduce slightly and continue on high until potatoes are tender. Drain water.
2. Add all other ingredients and combine with a mixer. Lumps are okay... though Northerners may not agree.

NOTE: Potatoes should be creamy, not thick - add more milk and butter to attain creamy consistency. And the more salt and pepper, the better...

Grocery Notepad

Had WAY too much spare time today and made up a grocery list pad.

Got the idea from the creative mama and got the scrapbooking pack from Amanda over here and here.

It needs to be trimmed because of the white border when you print it, but I'm especially fond of bright colors, so I HAD to do it.

Menu Plan Monday

Here's my second go at Menu Plan Monday... It really does help to link up with OrgJunkie - keeps me accountable and all. Now if I can just find some accountability for the other areas of my life...

If you're new to menu planning, I cannot recommend it highly enough - after seeing this one area become so completely organized, I'm wanting to take on new projects and areas that need it as well... Not life altering, but definitely life re-arranging.

Monday - loaded baked potatoes / salad

Tuesday - sweeper steak / steamed rice / vegetables

Wednesday - buttermilk pancakes

Thursday - tomato soup / grilled cheese sandwiches

Friday - tacos

Saturday - chicken stew / french bread

Sunday - Leftovers

Monday - spaghetti / salad / garlic bread

Tuesday - steak / roasted vegetables

Wednesday - Cracker Barrel's hashbrown casserole

Thursday - mini meatloaves (recipe follows) / scalloped potatoes / vegetables

Friday - soup / sandwiches

Saturday - BBQ (ribs / potato salad / corn on the cob)

Sunday - Leftovers

Mini Meatloaves

These are especially special in our house... or just to me... I tried out SEVERAL meatloaf recipes before landing on this one and finally finding a winner with dh and dd's. I wouldn't say they were being *picky*, per se... but someone of greater forthright might. = ) Anyway - couldn't find anything that everyone agreed on and which didn't get thrown away after a week of being in the fridge until I combined about four different recipes that resulted in this:

Meatloaf Ingredients

• 1 ½ lb ground beef 
• 1 package (not box) ritz crackers, crushed
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 eggs
• ½ onion, chopped
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp pepper
• 1 T Worcestershire sauce
• 1 T Italian seasoning

Topping

• 1 tsp parsley
• ½ c steak sauce
• ¼ c ketchup
   
• bread to coat dish

1. Prepare a 9x13 baking dish by lining bottom with slices of bread.
2. In large bowl, combine all meatloaf ingredients. Gitch’yer hands dirty! Shape into mini meatloaves, about 3 inches long. Arrange on top of bread in dish.
3. Bake 30 minutes at 375, or until middle is done.
4. Combine topping ingredients in small bowl. Brush onto tops of meatloaves. Serve and enjoy!